How to Create a Home Office that Works for You

Like it or not, you will be working from home for the immediate future.

To say that you are unprepared for this development is definitely an understatement. While you have a laptop and basic office supplies, you are not sure where you will set up a functioning work space in your home, let along figure out how to do video calls and other common telecommuting tasks.

No worries, work from home newbie: creating an effective home office and mastering things like your schedule, how to make video calls and more is quite possible—with the help of the following tips:

First, Choose Your Spot

Look around your home and assess where it will make the most sense to set up your home office. Got a guest room that is only used by Aunt Vivian at Christmas? This would make for a great workspace. The dining room table, a quiet corner of the living room or even your large walk-in closet are all contenders. If you do opt for a space that the family will use for part of the day, be sure your supplies and equipment can be safely stored out of the way. This way, you won’t end up with maple syrup or apple juice spilled across your folders during breakfast time with your lively kids.

Now, Outfit Your Office for Less

Who says you have to run out and buy brand-new fancy office furniture? A used desk or office chair can be as sturdy as a new one, and it will cost a lot less. Look for deals on furniture on eBay, local garage sales and maybe an app like OfferUp. Just be sure that if you are meeting someone through this type of app that you arrange to meet in a public place and practice social distancing. If you are working out of a closet or other shared space, a small desk fan will help circulate the air and provide you with some nice white noise during your workday.

Now, Practice Some Basic Tasks

Your boss told you that she will be scheduling regular meetings via Zoom to check-in, so making video calls is now part of your to-do list. In case you are wondering “How do I do a video call when I share a home with a dog who loves to bark and kids who need my help with online school?” take heed: start by securing your pets in another room, preferably far from your home office, before you start the video call. 

Then, turn off any desktop notifications and let your kiddos know when you will be unavailable to help them out. To make this visually easier for younger kids to understand, you could create a stoplight of sorts with circles of green, yellow and red construction paper and hang the “red light” near your desk when you cannot be disturbed. 

As for how to set up video calls at home, it requires a bit of practice. To be sure the first call goes as seamlessly as possible, practice one ahead of time with your spouse or a close friend. You might even want to do a few test runs with your stoplight system with your kids to be sure they get it.

Working from Home Can Be Productive and Positive

Going from in-person work to telecommuting is an adjustment, but it can definitely be a rewarding and positive experience. By following this advice, you may find that this whole work from home thing is a lot better than you ever thought it would be.